As reported yesterday, Cassie new Diddy-assisted single ‘Must Be Love’ was set to premiere very soon. Well soon is today, as the track (which Diddy has gone on record to call a ‘classic’) has surfaced in it’s entirety. 
While the song has a nice lil’ groove to it, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s run of the mill at best. What’s more, I’m still here scratching my head as to why Cassie is able to talk her way over a beat (no vocal improvement since her last time out) and yet the track is supposedly a ‘classic’. For all his past accomplishments (emphasis on the word ‘past’) on the music side of things, I really think Diddy is trying to play everyone by shoving this vocally-challenged stunner (as she is a stunner) down our throats. More than anything, though, Mr Combs is playing himself. Bad Boy, once the home of some of R&B’s greats such as 112 and Total is now reduced to artists (a term I used lightly) like Cassie. No shade on Cassie herself, but I think everything from her having a deal to releasing music, is a slap in the face to every legitimately talented artist out there on their grind trying to make it big. SMH…
Your thoughts?


With The-Dream’s ‘Love vs. Money’ LP now available in stores this week, the singer/songwriter has hit the TV promo trail in support of the record – most recently stopping by Snoop Doggs new MTV show Dogg After Dark. The Atlanta native performed current single ‘Rockin’ That Thang’.
Though the performance wasn’t particularly anything to scream about, I’m really feeling the song, as well as the album. Speaking of which, what do you guys think of the album?

Randomness: Snoop had me rolling when they cut to him during the performance.

Your thoughts?
LaTavia At LeToya's Birthday Bash
Original Destiny’s Child member LaTavia Roberson made a (very) rare appearance at former bandmate LeToya Luckett’s 28th birthday bash at Bambou in Houston last night. 
I’m liking her look – a lot. After years in hibernation, it’s great to see her looking so well.
I do wonder though, what happened to the supposed solo career LaTavia was rumored to be embarking on around the time LeToya first hit the scene on a solo tip? Word has it she could (and can) actually sing. 
Your thoughts?

I’ve just got through watching this week’s Michael Jackson themed American Idol episodes (we get everything a lil later here in the UK). I must say, while the quality of contestants aren’t as great as previous seasons, a couple have really stood out – namely Danny Goky and Lil Rounds. Peep their performances on this week’s show below:

{Video Removed As Requested}

Having watched this season from the start, I’m definitely rooting for these two. Great performances.

What do you think of the performances?


The video for Britney Spears’ new single ‘If U Seek Amy’ premiered literally moments ago on her official website — and it’s a winner.

Though lacking the polish and sheen of its predecessors (‘Womanizer’ and ‘Cirus’), the video for the cheekily titled song (say ‘If U Seek Amy’ really fast to get what I mean) has a great (and all-round better) concept IMO. In terms of choreography, expectedly Ms. Spears doesn’t offer much in the way of intricate moves (I guess her mojo will come back with time), yet she delivers with what she does do.

More than anything, though, it’s great to see her back doing her. Good stuff.


What do you think of the video?

Peep Cassie and her Bad Boy label head Diddy in the studio mixing th final version of her new single ‘Must Be Love’, which was produced by Bryan Michael Cox.
Though I’ll leave it to you to make your decision as to whether the track sounds anything like the ‘classic’ Diddy triumphantly labels it, I must say I feel it’s nothing to scream. With everyone and their mother knowing Cassie is vocally-challenged, I’m perplexed as to why she and her team insist on going with mid-tempo’s (see: ‘Official Girl’) to re-launch her. The obvious and more logical thing to do IMO would be to play to her strengths and drop an uptempo club banger (ala ‘Me & U’ and ‘Long Way 2 Go’). I really need to be working with some of these labels from time to time…LOL

Your thoughts?
Follow That Grape Juice On Twitter! It was bound to happen sooner or later; we are pleased to announce that you can now follow That Grape Juice on Twitter!

Adding to the ever-expanding ways to be apart of the That Grape Juice community, our Twitter page will allow you to receive up-to-the-minute updates about the latest posts on the site as well as what’s happening in the Urban Pop Culture world more generally.

What’s more, you’ll be able to keep up with me, ‘Sam’, while I’m on-the-go. I’ll be making use of Twitter’s cool SMS feature which allows me to let you guys know what I’m up to via my mobile/cell. That mean everything from checking in with you guys while on location at an artist interview to complete randomness from the wackiness that is ‘my world’.

So what are you waiting for…

Rapper Kanye West took to the stage on last night’s live episode of American Idol to perform current single ‘Heartless’. Correct me if wrong, but I’m pretty sure this makes Kanye the first rapper to grace the stage of the popular singing contest.

The performance? I can’t say I’ve been sold on this singing/auto-tune thing with Kanye this go-round, something brought even further to the forefront when considering the kind of show he was on.

What do you think of the performance?

Ciara - 'Fantasy Ride' Cover
We can exclusively reveal the official album cover for her forthcoming LP ‘Fantasy Ride’ (due May 5th). 
About the cover, erm…well…no.
Edit: This *really* is the official cover!
On a more postive note, Ms. Harris’ ‘Love, Sex, Magic’ is doing very well on radio.
What do you think of the cover?

Some of you may remember our post on Se7en last year. Well the video for Korean singer’s US debut, the Darkchild produced and Lil’ Kim assisted ‘Girls’, premiered a few moments ago. 
Put simply I’m liking this one. The overt attempts to appeal the US market aside (the flashing of the jewelry to the “holla at your boy” etc), the video, visually, has a bit more pizaaz than the ones todays recession-hit industry is churning out. In simpler terms, the vid has a cool ‘gloss’ to it. 
Also, say what you want about her, but Lil’ Kim was looking great in the clip getting her Catwoman on lol. 
Randomness: Was that Lisa Raye trying to look young and hip next to Kim, despite being cut out of most of the vid? LOL. Lisa is ‘that’ chick (carries on my endless search to find a UK copy of ‘The Players Club’).
What do you think of the song / video?
Ciara At 'Class of 3000' Premiere
Check out Ciara at the premiere of Andre 3000 (of Outkast) play ‘Class of 3000’ last night at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre. Stunning.
Ciara At 'Class of 3000' PremiereCiara At 'Class of 3000' Premiere
What do you think of the pics?
Rihanna & Chris Brown Record 'Love' Duet
As if the media hysteria surrounding Rihanna and Chris Brown couldn’t get anymore, it seems the couple (who recently reconciled) are feeding into it all by recording a duet to affirm their ‘love’ for each other. Check out the report via TMZ below:
TMZ now has all the details about the secret late-night recording sessions between Rihanna and Chris Brown — and they were jam-packed with emotion and serious drama, with some playful touching — seriously.
The whole thing came together when they decided to reconcile shortly after the attack. Sources tell us music producer Polow Da Don convinced both Chris and Rihanna to get in the studio and record a love song stat, stressing that timing was important because the heightened emotions would translate powerfully into the music.
Both Rihanna and Chris agreed and snuck in a couple of “late night” sessions that we’re told were “very, very emotional … the feeling in the room was pure love.” Clearly, love hurts.
As for how they got along, they were “playfully touching each other.”
We’re told the song was originally written for Rihanna before the fight, but after the beat down the producer believed the track — which ironically focuses on overcoming difficult challenges as a couple — would be the perfect duet.
As much as their respective PR teams must think putting on a ‘united front’ will redeem Chris in the court of public opinion and ease the matter, I just don’t see that happening. I retract my statement on Rihanna coming out the winner in all of this. If the reported ‘media blitz’ the two plan on doing, which also includes a stop on Oprah, turns out to be true, I see many people being even more turned off – by them both. IMO the idealist of scenarios would be for them to sit down…fall back…lay low – at least for now. The media have kinda gone overboard with it all and many a folk are sick of seeing the issue pimped.
Any thoughts?
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